guide to organic certification - National Young Farmers Coalition

VEGETABLE FARMER’S

GUIDE TO ORGANIC CERTIFICATION

NATIONAL YOUNG FARMERS COALITION | FEBRUARY 2014

VEGETABLE FARMER’S GUIDE TO ORGANIC CERTIFICATION © 2014 National Young Farmers Coalition Author: Emily Oakley Special thanks for their interviews and important contributions: Nate Drummond and Gabrielle Gosselin, Don Drury, Jack Hedin, Liana Hoodes, Katie Kraemer Pitre, Miles McEvoy, Althea & Matthew Raiford, Judith Redmond Thanks to an anonymous donor for support and interest in the organic standard. Design: sandyzimmerman.com Cover Photo: Three Springs Farm

CONTENTS 2 PREFACE & INTRODUCTION 5

3: STEPS TOWARD 14 PART CERTIFICATION The Basic Elements

PART 1: WHY FARMERS FOUGHT FOR ORGANIC

What Information a Certifier Will Want From You Finding a Certifying Agency On-site Inspection

How We Got Here: Certification and the National Organic Program

Alternative Certification

21

PART 4: RECORD-KEEPING Forms and Formatting A Practical Example—How to Set Up Your Records with Word and Excel

8 PART 2: CONCERNS & BENEFITS Overcoming Some Common Concerns

Capturing the Benefits: 6 Compelling Reasons for Certification

28 APPENDIX

Appendix A—Sources of Organic Materials Appendix B—Elaborating Your Farm Narrative: Additional Labeling Options Definitions

Certification Defined and Demystified What’s In a Name? Why Certified Organic Matters

27 CONCLUSION

26 PART 5: MARKETING STRATEGIES Tips for capitalizing on your certification

References

PREFACE Dear Reader,

organic methods. There are many paths to success in farming and many ways to communicate the value of your product and production guide is intended to help you understand the advantages of certifying your farm and the steps to making it happen.

passed from the date the fertilizer was spread.

production. We are proud to be part of a commitment to organics.

keeping, and marketing strategies. An appendix provides resources for organic vegetable seeds, cover crop seeds, transplants, potatoes and garlic, and amendments and inputs. We hope you will use it to get questions answered and

Sincerely,

Emily Oakley

THIS GUIDE IS INTENDED TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THE ADVANTAGES OF CERTIFYING YOUR FARM AND THE STEPS TO MAKING IT HAPPEN.

INTRODUCTION Do you think of yourself as an organic farmer? Do you farm using organic methods but have passed up certification fearing a mountain of paperwork and fees your young operation can’t afford? Do you feel there’s no need to fix what isn’t broken; your customers know and appreciate how you grow, and you don’t need a certificate to prove that? Are you considering certification, but you’re unsure of where to start? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this guide is for you. If you aren’t certified, you’re not alone. Although a majority of young farmers in the National Young Farmers Coalition’s network report that they grow using organic practices, very few are actually certified. This guide is meant for any vegetable farmer who embraces the philosophy and practices of organic agriculture, but isn’t yet certified. It hopes to tackle some of the challenges to certification and persuade more young farmers of the benefits it brings. It will address the history of federal organic certification, and it will walk you through the steps—from finding a certifying agency, to setting up easy record-keeping procedures. Certification is a valuable tool for your business. It quickly and easily illustrates your farm’s growing practices and philosophy to customers. Once you work through the initial application process and become familiar with the standards, you will find annual renewal to be surprisingly clear-cut. Certification will become an integral part of your farm’s reputation and your identity as a grower.

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4

Visit YOUNGFARMERS.ORG/ORGANIC

1.

for a full list of resource links.

WHY FARMERS FOUGHT FOR ORGANIC

HOW WE GOT HERE: CERTIFICATION AND THE USDA NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM

2001, the National Organic Program (NOP) was created, and since October 2002 this

Organic farming has deep roots, but the robust industry of today largely grew out

certifying entities are accredited by the NOP and are regularly monitored and audited to ensure appropriate interpretation and enforcement of the regulations.

worked to create a demand for their products by educating consumers about the evolved through passion and persistence into the thriving marketplace it is now. As the movement expanded, the need for universal standards and third party

DIGGING DEEPER: HOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OFPA, NOP, & ORGANICS • If you want to check out the details of the OFPA legislation: ams.usda.gov

As organic farming continued to mature, so did the case for creating a national

• To see who is on the National Organic Standards Board and read about their committee assignments: ams.usda.gov

country during the 1970’s and 80’s, but the regulations were not the same from one

• To learn more about the history of organics and the creation of the certification: kerrcenter.com/publications/organic-philosophy-report.pdf

certifying entity to the next. Plus, without government oversight, there was no way to protect against fraudulent use. The Organic Food Production Act of 1990 (OFPA)

• To peruse the most up-to-date NOP Final Rule in the Federal Register: ecfr.gov

was largely the result of farmer and consumer demand for the development and enforcement of organic standards that were the same regardless of state, certifying entity, or individual grower. As a result of that legislation, the initial attempt at federal standards was presented

CERTIFICATION DEFINED AND DEMYSTIFIED

for public comment in 1997. Farmers and consumers roundly rejected them and asked for tighter controls. The backlash centered on proposed permission for the use of sewage sludge, food irradiation, and GMO’s. Over 275,000 signatures were presented to the USDA demanding stricter standards (Kuepper 2010). It was perhaps the greatest public feedback the USDA had received up to that point. The calls were heard and the standards improved. By the time the revised draft was released

mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, of organic, regulations on production, and enforcement of the standards. The inspection, followed by a similar but less extensive yearly renewal.

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1. WHY FARMERS FOUGHT FOR ORGANIC

Any organic farmer will tell you being organic is less about what can’t be used

ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION comprehensive assessment of the farm operation. This occurs through the Organic System Plan and through subsequent annual inspections. The NOP provides guidelines for the materials and methods of production and

three environmentalists, three consumer advocates, two processors, one retailer, one scientist, and one certifying agency—is appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to advise the NOP on the standards and to determine the National List of materials permitted and prohibited in production. The Final Rule for production spells out the standards and is published and regularly updated in the Federal Register.

For a variety of reasons, some farmers choose to communicate good production methods through alternative certification. Certified Naturally Grown and Certified Biodynamic are two such alternatives. Certified Naturally Grown Certified Naturally Grown is a well-know option for alternative certification, based on the NOP standards. Members are peer certified through farmer-to-farmer inspections. As part of the certification process, each farmer agrees to inspect another farm each year. There is a minimum annual membership fee of $110 for produce, with a recommended payment of $125-200. Beginning farmers can access a scholarship fund to help defray costs, with priority given (among other criteria) to farmers in their first three years of farming. The certification steps are:

WHAT’S IN A NAME? WHY CERTIFIED ORGANIC MATTERS Shopping for local food at a farmers’ market, through a CSA, or at a natural foods grocery store is partly about the products and partly about the experience. Customers inherently want to trust their local farmers, but few engage farmers in

1. Complete an online certification application 2. Pay membership dues, which can be made over time 3. Sign a declaration form 4. Arrange your own on-farm inspection 5. Conduct an annual inspection of another farm To learn more, visit naturallygrown.org.

the details of their agricultural practices. Most shoppers don’t have time for long explanations and likely won’t be familiar with the complexity of organic farming

The proliferation of descriptors—no spray, natural, beyond organic—can make it

they grow using organic methods are relying on the NOP standards as a reference point for what organic means. Hundreds of small farmers gave time and feedback to the NOP to make sure the standards protect organic values and consumers. When young farmers opt out of organically according to the NOP, certifying your farm goes a long way toward giving customers a recognized brand for your produce. Publicly pledging your farm to the the next generation of young farmers.

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Biodynamic Certified by the Demeter Association, Inc. and Stellar Certification Services, Biodynamic farms follow the NOP certified organic production standards as well as Biodynamic guidelines for a “closed system” with limited use of off-farm materials. Biodynamic preparations are used in field sprays and compost inoculants for plant and soil health. Because the NOP guidelines are used as a baseline, certified Biodynamic farms can get joint NOP and Biodynamic certification with the same application fee and inspection. The certification steps are: 1. Request and complete a Certification Pack 2. A farm visit is arranged with Demeter 3. Review of the farm inspector’s report and the grower’s application by members of the Evaluation Circle 4. If granted certification, the grower agrees to implement any recommended actions or requirements. Once certification is granted, an annual renewal application and inspection are completed. To learn more, visit demeter-usa.org.

EXPERIENCE SPEAKS JACK HEDIN FEATHERSTONE FARM, MN featherstonefarm.com

of sustainable farming practices, it is important to holds all farmers accountable to organic production

customers about the farming practices behind the product.

KATIE KRAEMER PITRE | TECOLOTE FARM, TX tecolotefarm.net While our CSA customers know and trust us through 20 years of experience and interaction, it is important to many farmers’ market customers and retail outlets

JUDITH REDMOND FULLY BELLY FARM, CA fullbellyfarm.com

get gravely delayed.”

gives Full Belly Farm a baseline above which we always strive to perform. The fundamental principles

We believe in growing beyond the requirements of the organic program, and understand why consumers would like a label that has a real certifying agent behind consumers. There’s a joke amongst organic farmers that sustainable farms only use chemicals when they need them. I know plenty of very honest farmers using organic

the good food and farming movement.

customers respect.

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2.

CONCERNS & BENEFITS

OVERCOMING SOME COMMON CONCERNS

1.

CERTIFICATION COSTS TOO MUCH

It’s not free, but you may be surprised by how affordable it is. If you view the

less burdensome than many anticipate.

potting soil, or tractor fuel, it can be factored into your annual budget and the price of your produce. The fees vary by certifying agency, but in general the fees for a to new outlets, particularly wholesale opportunities, which can make the fees pay for themselves. It paves the way for future business opportunities and growth potential.

partially subsidized by the state. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental and Farm Association’s fees are based on region and date the application is received, charging an early bird rate of $850 for Ohio residents, $950 for growers

and Consumers, are $700 up to 2 acres, $950 up to 5 acres, $1,100 up to 10 acres, and $1,200 or $1,300 up to 20 acres. They certify growers in 37 states. Shopping

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2.

3.

THERE’S A PAPERWORK OVERLOAD

FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION CAN LEAD TO AN EROSION OF STANDARDS

From time to time, organics makes news during disagreement over proposed changes to the standards.1 Even when this occurs, the democratic nature of

keep track of—things like soil tests, crops and varieties grown, and sales volume.

the process allows the public to be at the forefront of shaping policy by making sure their voices are heard. There is robust input through the National Organic

Records maintain organic integrity and provide for the necessary audit trail from

Standards Board. Miles McEvoy, Deputy Administrator of the NOP explains that USDA listens to all sectors of the organic community when they are formulating rules or policy. He states that it is extremely important to develop rules and policies that are practical for small farmers.

written notes and applications from Amish dairy farmers in the Midwest. The point is not to burden the farmer but to uphold the organic standard.

standard for a USDA food label we have in this country.” 1. There are recent controversies—i.e. authorizing additives in processed organic foods—that remain open debates, but rarely, if ever, do they involve the standards for crop production.

“Just because the government is involved doesn’t make it a bad thing. One of the original ideas behind farmers asking the government to be involved in certification was to keep the process democratic and maintain a level playing field for smaller growers against big business interests.” —LIANA HOODES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL ORGANIC COALITION

9

2. CONCERNS & BENEFITS

“This is a marketing program. Farmers are paying for the ability to use the USDA Organic claim and logo, the most respected in the world. They’re paying for a third party to verify their compliance so that they may receive a premium on their produce for it.” —DENISE AGUERO OF QUALITY CERTIFICATION SERVICES

4.

WHY SHOULD WE HAVE TO PAY MONEY FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING?

5.

I GROW USING ORGANIC METHODS, SO WHY DO I NEED TO BOTHER WITH CERTIFICATION?

Growers using organic methods might not adhere fully to the NOP and not even

inspector to your farm, reviewing the inspector’s report, and the general business can be charged, the Final Rule does state that fees must be reasonable.

no assurance that they comply with all of the organic requirements that support a biologically intensive farming system.”

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appropriation, growers in 16 selected states were eligible to participate in the cost

with the provisions of the NOP law, such as using organic seeds and planting stock

share program (the 12 Northeast states plus HI, NV, UT, and WY). The future of the

and only materials that are permitted according to the National List. If you’re doing

6.

SOME OF THE REQUIREMENTS ARE TOO STEEP, LIKE MANDATING ORGANIC SEEDS WHEN AVAILABLE

7.

EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE

supporting the organic movement as a whole and what happens on other farms. you are on leased land with the expectation of a quick move, making the investment the pesticides being sprayed in the wider environment.

seeds are more expensive, there are compelling reasons to support the organic seed industry. Pesticide use is often increased on conventional seed crops as they

might not make sense. A farm in an isolated area in a state with poor access to If this is the case, you can always familiarize yourself with the regulations to ensure you are truly meeting the standards.

are in the ground over an extended season for maturation and because they are not intended for human consumption.

only way to increase access to local organic seed is to create a demand for it. In the meantime, buying seed from companies closest to you makes shipping to most places reasonable.

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2. CONCERNS & BENEFITS

CAPTURING THE BENEFITS: 6 COMPELLING REASONS FOR CERTIFICATION 1. PROVIDES A UNIVERSAL, ENFORCED STANDARD

2. COMMUNICATES TO CONSUMERS

Using the organic seal is a strong visual message telling customers you meet the highest standard for organics. There is a growing

3. IMMEDIATE CREDIBILITY WITH NEW CUSTOMERS 4. EASE OF MARKETING AND PRODUCT IDENTITY 5. PRICES

This is especially important in wholesaling, but it can also be key to justifying the slightly higher prices that can come with the increased manual labor and other expenses of organics.

6. CERTIFICATION MEANS BEING COUNTED

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“In order to support and grow the organic industry, it’s important to note that it’s the number of certified farms that is often used in determining funding, research, and policy decisions. Not being certified takes away a level of visibility since you’re not represented as being a part of the greater movement.” —DENISE AGUERO OF QUALITY CERTIFICATION SERVICES

“There are 2.2 million farmers in the US, and right now only 13,000 are certified organic. That’s less than 1%. How can we expect the USDA to take us seriously and create policy and research and other support to move organic into the mainstream if we aren’t counted?” —ATINA DIFFLEY, AN ORGANIC FARMER AND CONSULTANT, ACTIVIST, AND AUTHOR IN MINNESOTA

“Certified organic farmers who know and uphold the standards well keep intact the argument for strong standards. If more and more farmers choose not to certify, it will degrade the meaning of organic.” —LIANA HOODES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL ORGANIC COALITION

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3.

STEPS TOWARD CERTIFICATION

Once you’ve taken the plunge from thinking about getting certified to deciding to go for it, you will follow the steps outlined in this section. Many certifiers have their own guides to certification, as do some state cooperative extension services. ATTRA and the NOP are both great reference points, and links to their guides follow.

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THE BASIC ELEMENTS documentation of them comprise your Organic System Plan.

Three years without the use of any prohibited substances buffer zone between your operation and any conventional farming practices or neighbors (the law doesn’t specify the size or manner of creating a buffer zone, leaving it up to individual certifying

Raw manure must be applied 120 days prior to the harvest of crops that touch the ground and 90 days prior to crops that don’t

planting stock can only be used if organic is unavailable and as long as it has not been treated with prohibited substances

No use of treated lumber in a growing medium

Compost containing manure should be fully composted according to NOP rules

Organic planting stock can only be sold as such after a year of organic management

cleaned between use

Use of organic seed must document that you looked

Disease and pest prevention through diversity, cultural practices, and manual control

No irradiation or sewer sludge

Maintain or build soil organic matter must use organic seeds for edible sprouts Sound fertility management through cover crops, compost, manure, and utilization of crop rotations Prevention of soil or groundwater leaching and pollution from fertility treatments and amendments

No treated seed, even if that means using a different variety Must use organic transplants (unless a temporary variance is granted)

Equipment used in both organic

No GMO seeds or products

It goes without saying, but no use of prohibited substances2

Mechanical weed control through

Use of approved substances only when preventative measures don’t work

pesticides and fertilizers must also meet the NOP criteria. If a product has the OMRI seal or is OMRI listed, it is

15

3. STEPS TOWARD CERTIFICATION

WHAT INFORMATION A CERTIFIER WILL WANT FROM YOU Organic System Plan in repairing a fence, buying a new implement, or harvesting produce. If you aren’t asked to provide a soil test, your certifying agency will take one. If you are on new land that has not had any prohibited substances applied by the previous

Type of operation operation

Soil building program and the use of soil testing, cover crops, tillage, etc.

Existence of any mixed organic/ conventional production or handling

control measures and applications

and any pest prevention measures

Physical address Number of acres Irrigation source

Field planting schedule and how crops have been or will be rotated

by hand)

Fertility application records and a plan for monitoring fertility

Seeds and transplant sources

16

Volume of sales

Weed control methods Contamination prevention plan (especially important if you use equipment or materials from a

NEED MORE INFO? ADDITIONAL GUIDES TO ORGANIC CERTIFICATION A proliferation of guides exists addressing the certification procedures in detail, and there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. Here are a few key guides: • The NOP has an 8-page document called “Five Steps to Organic Certification” outlining overall procedures: ams.usda.gov • ATTRA has a host of publications for organic certification at attra.ncat.org. Four that stand out are:

VISIT

YOUNGFARMERS.ORG/ ORGANIC for a full list of resource links.

• Organic Certification of Farms and Businesses Producing Agricultural Products: A 7-page guide giving an overview to the certification process • Guide for Organic Crop Producers: A whopping 64 pages of information. If you look this over, you’ll find the answer to just about any question you might have. Don’t be intimidated by the length; a helpful Table of Contents can take you to the pages covering the issues you want to read about. • Organic Standards for Crop Production: Excerpts of USDA’s National Organic Program Regulations: Just like it says, this guide takes the Final Rule of the Federal Register and excerpts just those sections that are relevant to vegetable production. • Organic System Plans: Market Farms and Greenhouses: A (long!) sample plan with forms filled in as if this were a working market farm applying for certification. It represents an operation more complicated than most young farmers will have, but if you want to see an example to get an idea of how to fill out your initial application, it can be an interesting reference.

17

3. STEPS TOWARD CERTIFICATION

FINDING A CERTIFYING AGENCY a current list of accredited certifying agencies on their website. There are 84 by the International Organic Inspectors Association. Often, independent contract departments of agriculture, farmer associations, and private companies. The NOP (ams.usda.gov).

inspectors will work for multiple agencies and can bundle inspections in a general region to defray transportation costs and inspection fees. Most certifying agencies

with large agricultural economies, there can be over a dozen options (there are

goal of promoting the industry. As members they discuss how to interpret the

as many as 29 in California). Ask for estimates from all of them to help compare

regulations and make recommendations to the NOP.

upfront on their website, and with others you must request one. If you aren’t sure who to pick and costs are basically the same, your best bet is talking to other search for organic farms in your state (apps.ams.usda.gov/nop).

5 STEPS TO GETTING APPROVED 1. APPLY

2. APPLICATION REVIEW

• If you have a slow or off-season, that’s the best time to work on your application. It will also mean your annual renewal will occur at a time of year when you are best able to deal with it.

• Once you’ve completed the application, mail it in along with your payment. You will

• practices, how the NOP standards affect your operation and that agency’s particular record-keeping

•

18

>

to arrange a farm visit.

>

ON-SITE INSPECTION

easements to make sure they aren’t sprayed for weeds, and look for things like wildlife hedgerows, windbreaks, erosion prevention, contour planting, and irrigation sources. She will check out your barn or shop, the packing shed/wash station, and and visit your greenhouse, looking at potting soil, type of lumber, and any soil

3. ON-SITE INSPECTION

4. GRANTING CERTIFICATION

5. CONTINUING CERTIFICATION

•

•

• Your annual renewal will take place about the same time each year. You will be mailed or emailed the annual renewal application and then called or emailed to set up a renewal appointment

application, make any needed changes, and tour your operation.

acceptance.

>

• Once you’ve been accepted, you will be

•

>

• Like the initial application, but much the annual renewal visit to evaluate the application and tour the farm.

19

YOUNG FARMERS WEIGH IN NATE DRUMMOND & GABRIELLE GOSSELIN | SIX RIVER FARM, ME sixriverfarm.com

1. Customer:

Us:

farm in Bowdoinham.” Customer: 2. Customer:

Us:

another vendor is conventional but claims to follow IPM spray practices). Customer:

sense. Even though we sell the vast majority of our produce directly to consumers at farmers’ markets, and at least one of the two of us is always at our market stand, many of our

ALTHEA & MATTHEW RAIFORD GILLIARD FARMS, GA gilliardfarms.com

DON DRURY BOOTSTRAP FARM, OK bootstrapfarm.blogspot.com

Gillliard Farms was started in 2011 by Althea and Matthew Raiford. The land has been in our family and farmed since 1874—six generations. Knowing that the old farm ways were always what we now

and disingenuous in a marketing climate that is all the extra work we do to grow organically. It is practically mandatory as well

daunting task. It holds us to a standard that cannot be dropped, and no short cuts

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when you sell wholesale to large chains. The national produce buyers will not pay

4.

RECORD-KEEPING

simple if done daily over the course of the season. Dedicating a few minutes at the end of each day to note activities, any fertilizer/pesticide applications, or planting will make your records living, working documents that will serve you well beyond

matter of preference. You can also get by comfortably with Microsoft Word, Excel,

grow and when, gauging variety performance, tracking pest outbreaks through the necessary for business management and success.3

a roundup of some useful examples. • list of templates. attra.ncat.org/publication.html#organic

be. Nevertheless, if you maintain accurate records throughout the year, it can take as

• North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension has empty templates

FORMS AND FORMATTING

• online.

from the start.

fertility observations and applications, and projected yield based off of that year’s harvest records total. You might also be asked to show receipts for purchases.

21

4. RECORD-KEEPING

A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE: HOW TO SET UP YOUR RECORDS WITH WORD AND EXCEL

DAILY FIELD NOTES

On my and my partner’s farm in Oklahoma, we grow on six acres of land divided

worked for our own interest only.

Written daily to record activities and observations. We keep track of the hours

between annual and perennial crops. We sell through a Saturday farmers’ market

MAY 12: 8 HOURS • ACTIVITIES: Till and make beds; transplant summer crops.

harvest records, and pest and fertility records all in Excel. Financial records are kept

• OBSERVATIONS: The soil conditions were just right for rototilling—not too wet and not too dry. The weather was sunny and in the 80’s after last night’s drizzle.

sales receipt” which we use to enter our farmers’ market sales by crop.

detail. Those we print out for our annual renewal are the seed order, pest and fertility records, harvest record totals (which we use to project yields for the next year), and

GREENHOUSE SCHEDULE CROP

DATE

NOTES

uploaded it as a PDF, and print it off each year. If we add new perennial beds or

Cabbage – Farao

1

1/24

great germ

make other changes, it’s easy to modify.

Lettuce – Ruby Red

1

1/24

poor germ rate

Lettuce – Lolla Rosa

1

1/24

poor germ rate

Onion – Candy

6

1/24

great germ

Onion – Sierra Blanca

6

1/24

great germ

Tomato – Cherokee

2

1/24

slow to germ

Number of Trays Needed

22

TRAYS

17

Cabbage – Farao

1

2/4

great germ


1

2/4

great germ


1

2/4

great germ

Number of Trays Needed

3

SEED ORDER

PLANTING SCHEDULE

Records crops and varieties, noting those that are organic. The code and price

The planting schedule is a map of what crop and variety gets planted in each bed and

columns facilitate placing the order. simply copying and pasting the planting schedule into another document, it then CROP

VARIETY

CODE

QTY

PRICE

ORGANIC

Cabbage

Farao

2110G

2 pkt.

$7.90

organic

Carrot

Nelson

215

50,000

$47.50

Eggplant

Traviata

2575G

1 pkt.

$6.95

Onion

Candy

2991

5,000

$19.75

Onion

Sierra Blanca

103

5,000

$23.00

Tomato

Big Beef

2063

1 pkt.

$3.45

Tomato

Green Zebra

2276

1 pkt.

$3.95

organic

Tomato

Cherokee Purple

753G

1 pkt.

$3.95

organic

JOHNNY’S

becomes the harvest records and pest and fertility records, as will be shown below.

BED

organic

CROPS (S to N and W to E)

DATE

1

Strawberries – Chandler

26–Sep

2


26–Sep

3


27–Sep

4

Carrot – Nelson

1–Oct

5

Fava Beans – Windsor

1–Oct

A

Onions – Candy

10–Oct

B

Onions – Sierra Blanca

A

Garlic – Italian Purple

B

Onion – Candy

6

7

$116.45 HIGH MOWING Greens

Yukina Savoy

2493

1/2 oz.

Greens

Tat Soi

2510

2 oz.

Pepper

Nu Mex Joe e Parker

2785

1/64 oz.

ROW

10–Oct

$6.30

organic

8

Arugula

28–Mar

$10.00

organic

9

Carrots – Nelson

28–Mar

$2.75

organic

AB

Tokyo Turnips

28–Mar

CD

Salad Mix

28–Mar

A


9–Apr

B


10

$19.05 MORGAN COUNTY

11

Lettuce

Lolla Rosa

226

1 oz

$3.50

Lettuce

Ruby Red

406

2 oz

$5.60

Lettuce

Salad Bowl Red

3159

1 oz

$7.60

organic

$16.70

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4. RECORD-KEEPING

PEST AND FERTILITY RECORDS We combine pest and disease observations and any treatments or applications in one spreadsheet. MID MAY OBSERVATIONS

JUN 24

Spray Fish/Kelp

Gray Mold

Plant cowpea cover crop


Spray Fish/Kelp

Gray Mold


3


Spray Fish/Kelp

Gray Mold


4

Carrot – Nelson


5



6

Onions – Candy




7



8

Arugula


9

Carrots – Nelson


10

Tokyo Turnips


BED

CROP

FEB 29

1


2

Salad Mix 11

24

LATE APRIL OBSERVATIONS

APR 21

Cucumber beetle



Spray Fish/Kelp

Cabbage Loopers

Spray Bt



Spray Fish/Kelp

Cabbage Loopers

Spray Bt


HARVEST RECORDS

BED

CROP

UNIT

APR 12

APR 19

APR 25

MAY 3

MAY 12

TOTAL

1


pint

36

44

72

101

157

410

2


pint

40

48

69

110

161

428

3


pint

35

53

75

99

153

415

4

Carrot – Nelson

pint

100

125

150

5


bunch

A

Onions – Candy

pound

50

45

60

35

190

B


bunch

55

40

70

30

195

7


bunch

25

65

75

100

265

8

Arugula

bunch

50

40

9

Carrots – Nelson

bunch

150

150

300

AB

Tokyo Turnips

bunch

50

100

150

CD

Salad Mix

pound

A


head

75

75

B


head

100

100

6

10

11

ROW

375 50

20

farmers’ market, listing what and how much of each crop we brought and how much

135

185

90

60

80

The main task is keeping up with them. When factored into the end of each day, the process becomes a means of organizing and preserving all of the information

has a unique item category, allowing us to generate a report at the end of the year these records. important for business planning. We can quickly compare how much of each crop we harvested with what we actually sold, making it a useful tool in adjusting our planting volume for the coming season.

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5.

MARKETING STRATEGIES

Telling your organic story to customers is a proof positive way of reaping the

website. Give the USDA Organic seal top billing on your business cards, brochures, and recipe cards.

Post banners and individual product signs distinct and immediate reason to buy from you. Prominently feature your organic

process and what it means to you in newsletters and blogs. Remind customers about your annual inspection with pictures of the process posted on Facebook. Use organic twist ties on bunched produce or stickers on individual items to add cachet. Consider adding a tagline to your farm name, brand, or logo using the

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at farmers’ markets, farm stands, and CSA pick-up locations.

organic on farm listings and directories to help attract new customers.

CONCLUSION

the time and effort, joining will garner rewards for you and the cause as a whole.

movement. It tells other farmers and your customers in two simple words who you

Not if this next generation of young farmers makes its voice heard and gets counted.

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APPENDIX A

SOURCES OF ORGANIC MATERIALS Finding sources takes time, and it’s a constantly evolving process as new materials become available. It’s good to talk to other growers in your area, and Working with other farmers to pool resources to order in bulk can reduce costs by getting shipments palletized. Below is a resource list for organic vegetable seeds, cover crop seeds, transplants, potatoes, garlic, and amendments, fertilizers, and pesticides. It is by no means exhaustive, but it’s a good place to start for sourcing organic seeds and supplies. Locations are listed for help in assessing shipping costs.

Note: ATTRA has a Directory of Organic Seed Suppliers at organic_seed/#details

VEGETABLE SEEDS

(listed in alphabetical order) Family Farmers Seed Cooperative, Oregon organicseedcoop.com New initiative. Limited selection, but should be supported. Fedco Seeds, Maine fedcoseeds.com Good selection of organic seeds. Harris Seeds, New York harrisseeds.com Limited selection of organic seeds. High Mowing Seeds, Vermont highmowingseeds.com All organic seed company. Their catalog is a must for all organic growers. Johnny’s Seed, Maine johnnyseeds.com A great selection of organic seed. Morgan County Seed, Missouri morgancountyseeds.com Some organic seeds. Good prices. Osborne Seed Company, Washington osborneseed.com Good selection of organic seeds. Seed Savers Exchange, Iowa seedsavers.org Good selection of organic OP and heirloom seeds. Small quantities. Seeds of Change, California seedsofchange.com All organic seed company. Limited quantities.

seedsofitaly.com Some organic seeds. Small quantities.

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Seedway, New York seedway.com Limited organic varieties, but those they have are good. Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Virginia southernexposure.com Good selection of organic OP varieties. Territorial Seed Company, Oregon territorialseed.com Limited selection of organic varieties.

COVER CROP SEEDS

(bulk only, listed in alphabetical order) American Organic, Illinois american-organic.com Good selection. Fedco Seeds, Maine fedcoseeds.com Good selection. High Mowing Seeds, Vermont highmowingseeds.com Limited selection of cover crop seeds. Johnny’s Selected Seed, Maine johnnyseeds.com Some organic seed. Lakeview Organic Grain, New York lakevieworganicgrain.com Good selection, and good prices. Peaceful Valley, California groworganic.com Some organic seed. Seven Springs Farm, Virginia 7springsfarm.com Good selection, and good prices.

Welter Seed and Honey, Iowa welterseed.com Great selection of organic seeds. Excellent prices. Wood Prairie Farm, Maine woodprairie.com

TRANSPLANTS

(commercial quantities only, listed in alphabetical order) Deep Grass Nursery, Delaware deepgrassnursery.com Headstart Nursery, California headstartnursery.com Windcrest Farm, North Carolina windcrestorganics.com

POTATOES AND GARLIC

Wood Prairie Farm, Maine woodprairie.com Great selection of organic potatoes. Maine Potato Lady, Maine mainepotatolady.com Great selection of organic potatoes and garlic. Good prices. Garlic Filaree Garlic Farm, Washington filareefarm.com Great Northern Garlic, Washington greatnortherngarlic.com Green Mountain Garlic, Vermont greenmountaingarlic.com Grey Duck Garlic, Washington greyduckgarlic.com

(commercial quantities only, listed by crop and in alphabetical order)

Honey Hill Farm, New York honeyhillorganicfarm.com

Lockhart Seed, California #209-466-4401 Organic potatoes. Great prices. Limited selection. (50 pounds or more only)

Hood River Garlic, Oregon hoodrivergarlic.com

New Sprout Organic Farms, North Carolina newsproutfarms.com Good selection of organic potatoes. The Potato Garden, Colorado potatogarden.com Great selection of organic potatoes. (50 pounds or more only) Irish Eyes Garden Seeds, Washington irisheyesgardenseeds.com Good selection of organic potatoes and garlic.

Keene Organics, Wisconsin keeneorganics.com Organic Garlic Seed Farm, Oregon organicgarlicseedfarm.com Strawhat Farm, Colorado strawhatfarms.com Whistling Duck Farm, Oregon whistlingduckfarm.com

AMENDMENTS, FERTILIZERS, PESTICIDES If a product has the OMRI seal (Organic Materials Review Institute), it has been reviewed and approved for use by NOP standards (though not all products permitted for use by the NOP will have an OMRI seal. If in doubt about an input, a database of all OMRI approved substances. If you know what you want to use but don’t know if it is approved, your best bet is to sort through the products, suppliers, and/or categories of inputs. omri.org/omri-lists/download

Peacefully Valley, California groworganic.com Great selection. Seven Springs Farm, Virginia 7springsfarm.com Good selection.

HELP KEEP US UP TO DATE. GO TO THE NYFC FORUM TO POST A RESOURCE THAT YOU DON’T SEE HERE.

Most local gardening centers or feed stores carry a limited supply of organic products, and those tend to be in small quantities. Below is a short list of companies that sell organic supplies in larger quantities. Shipping is expensive, so asking other farmers in your area for sources close to home can be a cheaper option. Arbico Organics, Arizona arbico-organics.com Good selection of organic growing supplies. Fedco Seeds, Maine fedcoseeds.com Johnny’s Seeds, Maine johnnyseeds.com Limited selection.

Visit YOUNGFARMERS.ORG/ORGANIC for a full list of resource links.

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APPENDIX B

ELABORATING YOUR FARM NARRATIVE: ADDITIONAL LABELING OPTIONS

DEFINITIONS Federal Register — A government journal of public announcements in which the Final Rule for organic production is published.

Final Rule — The provisions of the OFPA that specify the standards of organic production. agriculturaljusticeproject.org looks at social and environmental sustainability standards, foodalliance.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) —

Secretary of Agriculture to advise the NOP on the standards and to determine the National List of materials permitted and prohibited in production.

National Organic Program (NOP) — The USDA program responsible for monitoring and enforcing the federal organic standards.

signs are available for a fee through the National Wildlife

Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) — The 1990 federal law that created the NOP and standards for organic production and oversight.

Wildlife.aspx provides a label for farms whose workers are under UFW contract ufw.org

Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) — reviews and approves inputs for use in an organic system according to NOP guidelines.

Organic System Plan — The management plan for organic production and handling that Prohibited Substance — An agricultural input or material not permitted for use in organic

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REFERENCES Aguero, Denise. Personal Interview. October 2013.

Hoodes, Liana. Personal Interview. October 2013.

McEvoy, Miles. Personal Interview. September 2013.

Thank you for the following photo contributions: Cover Photo—Amy Marcoux Pages 4, 10, 13, 14, 17—Six River Farm, Bowdoinham ME Pages 8, 11, 16, 19, 27—Three Springs Farm, Oaks OK

Visit YOUNGFARMERS.ORG/ORGANIC for a full list of resource links.

Page 26—Full Belly Farm, Guinda CA

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YOUNGFARMERS.ORG